Israel has violated all principles and norms of international law – Vasily Ostanin

Speaking with Alpha News, Arabist Vasily Ostanin commented on the recent Israeli strikes in Qatar. According to the expert, there was no direct threat to Israel from Qatar, but Israel consistently acts not based on the norms and principles of international law, but rather on considerations of national security.

“Of course, we have a system of international law, which, in theory, guarantees security and sovereignty within their borders to all participants in the system of international relations and international law. From this perspective, Israel violated all these principles and norms of international law by striking a target on the territory of the state of Qatar. On the one hand, there is nothing new in this. Israel constantly targets locations in any regional state it perceives as a threat to its national security, according to its political and military leadership. That is, it acts not based on the norms and principles of international law, but rather on considerations of national security. There was no direct threat to Israel from Qatar. Moreover, Qatar was a negotiating platform, one of the main mediators in the negotiation process between Palestine and Israel. But Israel understands that this was hidden financial and media support for Hamas, which is why the strike specifically targeted Hamas representatives,” Ostanin said.

According to the expert, the response to Israel’s actions will be diplomatic and firm.

“Several EU countries may impose additional sanctions, and Arab states are expected to deliver a strong rebuke. In particular, the so-called ‘Abraham Accords’, that is, peace treaties between Israel and a number of Arab states, primarily the UAE and Bahrain, could be called into question,” Ostanin concluded.